Tom Carroll believes there is no better way to win promotion than through the play-off final at Wembley – and says QPR have the experience to get there.
Rangers’ 5-2 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend left them one victory away from securing a play-off spot. Harry Redknapp’s side face a trip to Leicester City on Saturday, followed by a home clash against Watford on Bank Holiday Monday.
Carroll, who has spent the season on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, is relishing the chance to secure a place in the final at Wembley, but believes Rangers cannot afford to take their foot off the gas in the final four games of the league season.
“It looks like we’re going to be in the play-offs so hopefully we will keep the form going and get a few more wins in the lead up to that,” Carroll said.
“After the last two away games we needed the performance [against Forest] and the win. To score five was impressive and hopefully we will keep that going. The play-offs are high-pressure games but we have players here who have a lot of experience so we’ll be confident going into that.
“The pressure doesn’t faze me. It’s just like any other game – but the prize at the end of it is massive. With the squad we have here we’re capable of winning it.
“I’ve never played at Wembley so hopefully we’ll get there. For any player it is a dream to play there and it is the best way to go up. It would be a nice experience.”
Carroll revealed he has been hitting the gym in an effort to get to grips with the physicality of the Championship.
“I think physically I’m doing better, I’ve been doing a bit more in the gym,” he added. “It’s a completely different pace in the Championship, everything is a hundred miles an hour.
“It’s not bulking up, it’s just getting it bit more strength. I could cope physically – my running stats are fine, I probably run further than most – but in the Premier League and Europa League teams let you play a little bit and you just have to be good enough to break them down.
“In the Championship, as soon as the goalkeeper has it everyone is up squeezing you and you have no space or time. It’s different but it’s not too hard to adapt to.”
Harry Redknapp revealed earlier in the season he would like to make Carroll’s deal permanent.
However, Spurs head coach Tim Sherwood is also a big admirer of the 21-year-old, and Carroll reiterated his desire to return to his parent club at the end of the season.
“My main aim is to go back there,” the midfielder added. “Tim is a great manager so I would love to play for him again.
“It’s promising that Tim has brought the young players through. It means that if he trusts you then he’ll let you play. The likes of Nabil Bentaleb have done well. If I was there I would like to think I would have got some games under Tim.
“I’m contracted at Spurs so it’s down to the two clubs to talk. Making it at Tottenham has got to be my main aim. I’ve been there since I was eight so it means a lot to me. But QPR is a great club and I’ve enjoyed my time here, so we will see what happens.”
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